Freedom 250 Grand Prix: IndyCar Takes Over Washington’s National Mall

A two-day IndyCar street race will run on a temporary 1.7-mile circuit around the National Mall, the Capitol and the Smithsonian museums. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix features 147 laps—about 250 miles—at speeds up to 180 mph. Practice is Saturday; the main race is Sunday, late August.

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January fast-tracking the race as part of a “Freedom 250” program marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted the rarity of such a competition in the capital.

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• Track length: < 1.7 mi, seven turns

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• Laps: 147 (? 250 mi)

President Donald Trump to wave green flag and take 'lap of honor' before D.C. IndyCar race

• Top speed: up to 180 mph

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• Expected attendance: 250,000–300,000 over two days

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• Construction cost: > $35 million, funded by IndyCar

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• Ticket pricing: free general-admission lottery; “Champions Club” tickets $5,000; luxury suites up to $250,000

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President Trump called the race “like no other” and “unforgettable.” Bud Denker, president of Penske Corporation and Grand Prix chair, said the goal is to celebrate the semi-quincentennial in an unexpected way. The FAA will pause flights at Reagan National Airport from 10:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on race day. The National Gallery of Art completed a vibration study and added safety measures. DC Deputy Mayor Lindsey Appiah said normal traffic should resume by the second week of September. The city will reimburse street-repair work, including silicone-capped manhole covers.

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Local residents and preservation groups decry the disruption and potential damage to historic sites. Organizer Elyssa Feder called the event a “playground” for the administration, while longtime resident Janelle Latney warned it reshapes the city.

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Construction crews installed 10,000-lb concrete walls and 15-ft chain-link fences. Security screening mirrors TSA checks, and a National Guard presence includes FBI, Parks Police and Naval Criminal Investigative Service personnel. The FAA air-space pause and rerouted avenues have caused hours-long traffic congestion. The National Gallery and the National Archives will limit public access during practice, requiring event tickets for entry.

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CNN cited “nearly 300,000” expected visitors; other outlets reported “around 250,000.” No definitive count has been released. Ticket distribution details differ: some reports note a lottery for free tickets, while others focus on high-priced suite sales without specifying allocation.

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• “This will be like no other race ever,” — Donald Trump

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• “The nostalgia of DC, the heritage — I’ll take this any day,” — Scott Talbott, spectator from Dallas

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• “What’s primary for me, and it sounds corny, is to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary in ways no one ever expected to see,” — Bud Denker, Penske Corporation president

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Construction continues through August 10, with final preparations slated for August 13. The District is drawing on a $90 million emergency planning and security fund, expected to be fully expended by early September.

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